Shape Drawing Practice

What are the best ways to design complex shapes with computer-aided design (CAD) tools? Best practices can differ across industries and between companies, so it’s hard to find consensus on rules and guidelines. Fortunately, some general principles for complex shape design are nearly universal, or apply in many cases. Recommendations of any kind should be taken a grain of context: designing automated machinery is different from designing medical equipment.

CAD provides the ultimate medium for communicating concepts

Design happens in the mind

New concept design requires practical communication skills – visualization, modeling, requirements, aesthetics, ergonomics and regulations. CAD provides the ultimate medium for communicating concepts – CAD data accelerates engineering and manufacturing and can improve efficiency throughout the product lifecycle. Complex shape design is an essential skill for concept design.

CAD details the specific shape and properties of each part and how they go together. The data is used in downstream applications that range from rendering to repair. The one constant is change, yet change is the most difficult thing to plan for. Design intent is the process in CAD that helps with planning for change, and while much has been written about design intent in both history- and non-history based systems, it is still an elusive beast for many users.